The United Nations and its Secretary General, Kofi Annan, have been awarded the centenary Nobel Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised the international organisation and its 63-year-old leader for working for human rights and to defuse global conflicts.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes in its centenary year to proclaim that the only negotiable route to global peace and co-operation goes by way of the United Nations

The Nobel Committee

In making the award, a spokesman for the Nobel Committee said: "Kofi Annan has dedicated almost all his working life to the United Nations. As secretary general, he has brought new life to the organisation."

The committee also praised Mr Annan for helping the UN rise to emerging challenges like the fights against HIV/Aids and international terrorism.

The prize, named after Alfred Nobel, a Swedish philanthropist and inventor of dynamite, is worth $946,200.

'Wonderful feeling'

In his first reaction to winning the award, Mr Annan said: "It's a wonderful feeling and a great encouragement for us and the organisation, for the work we have done until now. It's a great recognition for the staff.